Open Society Foundation of South Africa

The Open Society Foundation "was founded by George Soros in April 1993 to promote the ideal of an open society in South Africa; an ideal which includes democracy, a market economy, a strong civil society, respect for minorities and tolerance for divergent opinions." [1]

Former Board (2000)

"Philanthropist and financier George Soros has elected a new board for the South African arm of his Open Society Foundation, citing as the reason the fact that three members of the previous board had been elevated to President Thabo Mbeki's office.

"The three replaced are Mojanku Gumbi, a special adviser to Mbeki, Leah Gcabashe, who heads the president's legal team and Anthony Heard, former Cape Times editor working as a special adviser to the presidency. Heard had indicated previously that he was planning to resign from the board...

"Three members of the previous board will stay on at Soros' behest, Judge Fikile Bam, Zyda Rylands and FirstRand Chairperson GT Ferreira, although Michael Savage, the foundation's former Chief Executive who resigned last November, will renew his association with the foundation as a new board member... The other new members of the board include former Secretary for Safety and Security Azhar Cachalia, Legal Resources Centre director Professor Bongani Majola, Natural Urban and Reconstruction Agency director Nonhlanhla Mjoli-Mncube and Financial Fiscal Commission chair Murphy Morobe."